Dental diagnosis apparatus and a method for using the same

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for providing a dental diagnosis and/or a dental appliance to a user by examining a portion of a mouth of the user. To this end, the apparatus, system and method may evaluate images whether digital, still, video, digital x-ray or the like, of the portion of the mouth to determine if a medical condition may be cured and/or corrected by a dental appliance stored within a machine and capable of being dispensed from the machine. In addition, the system may provide a wafer or tray which the user may position in his mouth to make an impression. The wafer or tray, or an image of the wafer or tray, may then be sent to an individual and/or a central processing unit. Also, a user may position a film within his mouth and transmit the film or an image of the film to an individual and/or a central processing unit.

[0001] The present invention is a continuation application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/686,142 filed on Oct. 11, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a systemand a method that provides a dental diagnosis and/or a dental applianceto a user. More specifically, the present invention provides anapparatus, a system and a method that allows one or more users to have aportion of their mouths examined and subsequently receive a diagnosis oftheir medical conditions. The present invention further provides anapparatus, a system and a method for one or more users to receive acorrective dental apparatus depending on their medical conditions. Inaddition, the present invention provides a means to receive payment forthe services.

[0003] It is, of course, generally known to analyze teeth of anindividual. Throughout the life of an individual, teeth often requirecorrective measures to remain healthy or to correct defects with whichan individual may be born or develop at later ages, such as an overbite,overjet, crowding, and/or spacing of teeth. The need for correctivemeasures for teeth has brought about various procedures, examinations,diagnoses and the like, such as those provided by a dentist ororthodontist, as well as corrective measures in the form of dentalappliances which may be worn in the mouth.

[0004] However, dentists and orthodontists often are inaccessible due toa person's schedule, geographic location or various other reasons.Moreover, such professionals may be unaffordable to some individuals. Inother cases, such as in third world countries, dentists andorthodontists are inaccessible to some individuals for reasons such aspoverty or the inability to travel to a dental office. Consequently,those living in third world countries are often devoid of quality dentalcare and/or necessary corrective measures, including diagnosis andadvice.

[0005] It is also generally known to provide a machine that examines amouth and/or teeth of a user who seeks a diagnosis and/or correctivemeasures. Such a machine instructs users as to whether they require adental appliance. The machine functions in an environment completelyindependent of a dental office or the like. However, known machines arecomplex and are limited in their scope of examination. For example,known machines may take images of the entire interior of the mouth. As aresult, the examination process is tedious and time-consuming. Moreover,the accuracy of the diagnosis of known machines is dependent on theangle at which images of the interior of the mouth are taken. Inaddition, the data taken by known machines is compared to data stored inthe machine. With such machines, the processing unit within the machineand its associated programming is the only source for providing a userwith a diagnosis.

[0006] A need, therefore, exists for an improved apparatus, system andmethod for providing an improved dental diagnosis. In addition, a needexists for an apparatus, a system and a method for providing improvedimage data evaluation by submission of image data, taken, for example,by a digital camera, digital x-ray or the like, via the internet,electronic mail, telephony means, satellite or the like, for furtherevaluation and/or diagnosis as well as remote dispensing of a correctiveappliance, if necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides an apparatus, a system and amethod as well as a simplified impression or photographic technique thatallows one or more users to have portions of their mouths examinedand/or receive a diagnosis of their condition. The present inventionfurther provides an apparatus, a system and a method or impression orphotographic technique enabling a user to receive a corrective dentalappliance depending on their condition.

[0008] To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a waferis provided for taking an impression of upper teeth and lower teeth of amouth. The wafer has a form which fits inside the mouth wherein the formis made from a material capable of being bitten creating a deformationof the form wherein the deformation corresponds to the upper teeth andthe lower teeth of the mouth wherein the form retains the deformationfollowing removal from the mouth.

[0009] In an embodiment, the form is flat in an area which contacts theupper teeth.

[0010] In an embodiment, the wafer has a wall extending from the formwherein the wall contacts the upper teeth when the form is fitted insidethe mouth.

[0011] In an embodiment, the deformation is shaped to correspond to eachof the upper teeth of the mouth.

[0012] In an embodiment, the deformation is shaped to correspond to eachof the lower teeth of the mouth.

[0013] In an embodiment, the wafer is constructed from apressure-sensitive film.

[0014] In an embodiment, the wafer is constructed from a photo-sensitivefilm.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for diagnosing an orthodontic condition of upper teeth andlower teeth of a mouth of a patient. The method has the steps of:providing a wafer which fits inside the mouth of the patient wherein thewafer is made from a material that may be deformed to create adeformation; biting into the wafer with the mouth creating thedeformation of the wafer wherein the deformation corresponds to theupper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth wherein the wafer retainsthe deformation following removal from the mouth; and diagnosing theorthodontic condition of the mouth from the deformation on the wafer.

[0016] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of providing anorthodontic appliance based on a diagnosis of the orthodontic conditionof the mouth.

[0017] In an embodiment, the diagnosis is performed in a remotelocation.

[0018] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of pouring amaterial into the deformed wafer prior to diagnosis to obtain a model ofthe teeth of the user.

[0019] In an embodiment, the wafer is sold to the patient.

[0020] In an embodiment, the wafer is provided to the patient via directmail.

[0021] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of inserting aplane into the deformed wafer prior to diagnosis wherein the plane has abed of pins wherein the bed of pins is perpendicularly attached to theplane and wherein the pins are individually attached to the plane tocreate a positive model of the teeth of the user.

[0022] In an embodiment, the wafer is constructed from apressure-sensitive film.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for diagnosing an orthodontic condition of upper teeth andlower teeth of a mouth. The method has the steps of: providing a waferwhich fits inside the mouth; biting into the wafer with the mouth tocreate a deformation in the wafer wherein the deformation corresponds tothe upper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth; and diagnosing theorthodontic condition of the upper teeth and the lower teeth at alocation remote from where the deformation was created wherein thediagnosis is based on the deformation.

[0024] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of transmittingan image of the deformed wafer to the remote location prior todiagnosis.

[0025] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of pouring amaterial onto the wafer prior to diagnosis wherein the material conformsto the shape of the wafer and provides a model of the upper teeth andthe lower teeth.

[0026] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of providing adental appliance based on the diagnosis.

[0027] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of taking adepth-sensitive photograph of the wafer prior to diagnosis.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user.The method has the steps of: providing an output device wherein theoutput device verbally communicates with the user; providing a centralprocessing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditionswherein the central processing unit is operatively connected to theoutput device; and verbally querying the user regarding the orthodonticstate of the user via the output device wherein the user inputsinformation regarding the orthodontic state of the user in response to averbal query generated by the output device.

[0029] In an embodiment, the method further has the steps of providingan input device; and inputting a response from the user to a query fromthe central processing unit.

[0030] In an embodiment, the method further has the step of transmittingthe response to the central processing unit.

[0031] It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention toprovide an apparatus, a system and a method for providing a user with adiagnosis of his dental condition.

[0032] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for dispensing a corrective dentalappliance for a user.

[0033] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method that allows evaluation of the mouth ofthe user based on results extrapolated from an image of a single tooth.

[0034] Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for diagnosing an orthodontic conditionof a user based on an impression the user creates within a waferprovided to the user.

[0035] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for diagnosing an orthodontic conditionof a user based on an impression the user creates within a waferprovided to the user wherein the diagnosis occurs in a location remotefrom where the impression was taken.

[0036] And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for diagnosing an orthodontic conditionof a user wherein a dental appliance is provided to the user via directmail, over-the-counter, or like manner.

[0037] Further, an advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for evaluating images of the portion ofthe mouth of the user by transmitting the images to a remote centralprocessing unit and/or a remote individual.

[0038] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for providing evaluation and/ordiagnosis of teeth for users throughout the world, including individualsof various races.

[0039] A still further advantage of the present invention is to providean apparatus, a system and a method for dispensing corrective dentalappliances based on categories of severity regarding dental conditionsto improve efficiency of the evaluation.

[0040] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for communicating with the user anddiagnosing temporomandibular joint conditions, by verbal means, such asa speaker system or the like, or written means.

[0041] Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042]FIG. 1 illustrates a black box diagram of a system in anembodiment of the present invention.

[0043]FIG. 2 illustrates a black box diagram of a method in anembodiment of the system of the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a dental appliance dispensed byan embodiment of the system of the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus in anembodiment of the present invention.

[0046]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an apparatus in an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0047]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus in anembodiment of the present invention.

[0048]FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a wafer in an embodimentof the present invention.

[0049]FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a wafer in an embodimentof the present invention.

[0050]FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a tray in an embodimentof the present invention.

[0051]FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of an apparatus in an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a systemand a method that provides a dental evaluation and/or diagnosis and/or adental appliance to a user by examining a portion of a mouth of theuser. To this end, the apparatus, system and method evaluate images orimpressions of the portion of the mouth to determine if a medicalcondition may be cured and/or corrected by a dental appliance storedwithin a machine and capable of being dispensed from the machine, orsent directly to the user from a remote location or dispensed by adealer.

[0053] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, FIG. 1 illustrates a system 1 having components including acentral processing unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as a “CPU”). The CPU10 may evaluate data transmitted to the CPU 10 by the components of thesystem 1. Further, the CPU 10 may control the components of the system1. The CPU 10 may be programmed by one skilled in the art to evaluatedata as well as control the components of the system 1.

[0054] In addition, the system 1 may include an information recordingcomponent 20 (hereinafter referred to as “IRC”). The IRC 20 may includean input device as part of the IRC 20 for a user to enter information tobe processed by the CPU 10 prior to, during, or after examination by thesystem 1. Such information may include, but is not limited to, theuser's age, race, sex, etc. The input device of the IRC 20 may include akeyboard or any other means for entering characters or information to beprocessed by the CPU 10.

[0055] The system 1 may also have a monitor 30 which may allow the userto see the information entered by the user into the IRC 20. In addition,the monitor 30 may display instructions for the user relating to properuse of the system 1.

[0056] The system may also have an output device 35 such as, forexample, a speaker, or other component known by those skilled in theart. The output device 35 may communicate verbally with the user and mayquery the user as to the orthodontic conditions of the user.

[0057] The system 1 may also provide an image capturing component 40(hereinafter referred to as “ICC”). The ICC 40 may take images of aportion of an interior of a mouth and/or exterior of a face of the user.The ICC 40 may take images, whether, digital, still, video, digitalx-ray or the like, by means of a camera or any other image capturingdevice known by those skilled in the art. The images from the ICC 40 maybe transferred to the CPU 10 for evaluation.

[0058] The system may also have a focusing mechanism 45 used inconjunction with the ICC 40. The focusing mechanism 45 may consist of alens or the like. The CPU 10 may estimate the distance from the digitalx-ray, photographic image, or other type of image to the surface of atooth by means of the focusing mechanism 45 and may then estimate thedegree of enlargement or reduction required for a diagnosis in terms ofcalculating the proper size of a tooth or teeth of the user.

[0059] The images from the ICC 40, or information otherwise gathered bythe system 1 may be transmitted, electronically or otherwise, by a datatransmittal component 50 (hereinafter referred to as “DTC”). The DTC 50may transmit images or data to another location, for example, via theinternet, electronic mail or other means, for evaluation by anothersystem or individual, such as a doctor, dentist, orthodontist or thelike. The DTC 50 may be implemented by one skilled in the art such thatthe DTC 50 may transmit images and/or data by, for example, theinternet, telephony, satellite or other means.

[0060] The system 1 may also have a dental appliance storage area 60.The area 60 may house a variety of dental appliances which may bedispensed to the user by the system 1. The CPU 10 of the system 1 maystore information regarding the severity of a medical condition. Theseverity may be identified in one of three categories: minimal, moderateor severe. For example, the CPU 10 may store information, such asmedical standards regarding the degree of an overbite. The CPU 10 maydetermine if the overbite is minimal, moderate, or severe based uponimages from the ICC 40. To this end, ranges may be established for eachof the three categories. Information regarding the user and images fromthe ICC 40 may be analyzed by appropriate software installed in the CPU10 to determine in which category the user is classified. An overbitethat is more than minimal may be treatable by a corrective dentalappliance. If the CPU 10 determines that the overbite of the user isgreater than minimal, a corrective dental appliance from the dentalappliance storage area 60 may be dispensed to the user. However, if theCPU 10 determines that the degree of overbite is a maximum amount and/orfurther determines that the age of the user is greater than 15 years,the CPU 10 may choose to deny the user a diagnosis and/or dentalappliance.

[0061] In addition, the system 1 may also have a service compensationcomponent 70 (hereinafter referred to as “SCC”). The SCC 70 may allowthe user to make payment for the services rendered by the system 1. TheSCC 70 may include, for example, a credit card processing means that mayallow the user to pay for the services rendered by, for example, acredit card, a debit card or the like. In addition, the SCC 70 mayprocess cash, negotiable instruments or the like as payment for use ofthe system 1 and/or receipt of the appliance.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart 200 of the system 1 isillustrated. The system 1 may provide the user with a dental examinationand/or diagnosis regarding a condition. Use of the system 1 may beinitiated by, for example, entry of personal information regarding theuser, as shown at step 210, into the IRC 20. The personal informationmay be processed, as shown at step 215, by the CPU 10 to correlate withpredetermined dental standards for individuals of varying age, race,sex, etc., which may already be stored in the CPU 10.

[0063] The user may then position his head, as shown at step 220, onto,for example, a head rest, chin rest, or the like, associated with thesystem for examination. Next, images of the interior of the mouth of theuser may be taken, as shown at step 230. The images may be taken by, forexample, a digital camera, digitized x-rays or the like.

[0064] The images may then be transmitted, as shown at step 240, toeither an outside source such as a doctor, dentist, orthodontist and/orother trained professional, the CPU 10, or both, for evaluation, asshown in step 270. The transmission may be made by, for example, theinternet, electronic mail, telephony, satellite, or other means.Alternatively, a local transmission to the CPU 10 of the system 1 mayconduct the analysis and/or diagnosis.

[0065] The system and method of the present invention may use differentimages to determine medical conditions that the user may beexperiencing. For example, the CPU 10 may evaluate a frontal view imageto determine the midlines, the specific front incisor to calculate itsaccurate mesio-distal width and, therefore, to accurately calculate thesizes of all other deciduous and permanent teeth, erupted and uneruptedaccording to medical standards stored within the CPU 10. In addition,the frontal view may be used to determine whether the user suffers fromoverbite, gingival recession or normality of the lower incisors.Furthermore, the frontal view may be used to determine the rotation orcrowding or spacing of incisors, x-bites of the anterior or posteriorteeth.

[0066] The CPU 10 may analyze an image having an occlusal view of theportion of the mouth of the user for rotations of anterior teeth as wellas to determine the widths of teeth and the severity of crowding andspacing of anterior teeth. The CPU 10 may identify the midline of theuser and be able to count the teeth of the user from the midline inaccordance with specific anatomic characteristics of each tooth of theuser to determine which teeth are present and which teeth are absentfrom the mouth of the user.

[0067] The CPU 10 may analyze an image having a lateral view of theportion of the mouth of the user to measure spaces where posterior teethare generally present but may not yet be fully erupted. Also, the CPU 10may analyze an image of the lateral view to determine cross-bitespresent in the posterior segment and overjet severity. In addition, theCPU 10 may analyze an image of the lateral view to determine whether theuser has properly closed his mouth. If the user has improperly closedhis mouth, the CPU 10 and/or the system 1 may direct the user how toproperly compensate for the inaccurate position to obtain a moreaccurate measure of overjet and overbite. The CPU 10 may also analyze animage of the lateral view of the face of the user to measure face heightand the effect of the overjet on the profile of the face. The frontalfacial view may be used to determine lip compatibility on closure and/orface height and lower jaw deviation when opening the jaw. The lateralfacial view is used for jaw relationship in an antero-posteriordirection.

[0068] The system 1 of the present invention may also evaluate andpredict the sizes of all of the teeth in the mouth and diagnose theadequacy of space for incoming teeth of the user from merely capturingan image of a single tooth. In fact, the system 1 of the presentinvention may determine the size of other teeth based on the size of asingle tooth as well as predetermined dental standards such as thoseillustrated in Appendix A and stored within the CPU 10 to allow the CPU10 to extrapolate the various sizes of the remainder of teeth in themouth of the user. Moreover, the CPU 10 may discern whether the fronttooth is reliable for extrapolating the sizes of the other teeth, bothdeciduous and permanent, as well as spaces within the teeth.

[0069] Furthermore, the CPU 10 may be programmed. to recognize certainanatomic and morphological variations characteristic of various teethsuch as canines, bicuspids, molars, and incisors as well as variationsbetween deciduous and permanent teeth. These variations also involvevarious mesio-distal widths as well as clinical crown height differencesthat characterize deciduous teeth from permanent teeth.

[0070] In addition, the system 1 of the present invention may storemedical standards within the CPU 10 for various races of human beings.The statistical comparisons may be used for the CPU 10 to determinewhether certain teeth are either deciduous or permanent, as well as todetermine the sizes of certain teeth in a user's mouth even if the angleat which images are taken are not right angles to the teeth. In fact,the CPU 10 may determine which teeth have been rotated and which havenot been rotated. The CPU 10 may evaluate occlusal views as well asforeshortened widths of rotated front teeth. The CPU 10 may thendetermine which tooth is rotated or not rotated by widths in a frontalview. In addition, the statistical comparisons may aid the CPU 10 indetermining the presence of spacing or crowding and the amount ofspacing and/or crowding that may be present. In addition, shortage ofspace due to decay and premature loss of either deciduous teeth withadverse drifting of adjacent adult teeth and/or the loss of permanentteeth or loss of space due to decay or poor eruption, or lack oferuption of teeth with loss of space may also be identified by the CPU10.

[0071] Furthermore, the CPU 10 may determine if the user has any teethmissing. Where a tooth may be missing in the image, and a dark space isidentified in place of a tooth, the CPU 10 may determine that a tooth issupposed to be in this area. The CPU 10 may count teeth from the midlineand may determine if all teeth are present as well as if a toothactually belongs in a dark space. If the CPU 10 determines that a toothbelongs in the dark space, the CPU 10 may determine if the space may beadequately sized for a tooth to fit within the space. The CPU 10 mayalso determine the percentage of foreshortening of the tooth mesial tothe space and/or distal to the space. The CPU 10 may determine thispercentage by measuring mesio-distally the size of the tooth's image anddividing that size into the size that the tooth should be by the factorestimating its size from the upper central incisor width. The CPU 10 maythen calculate the actual mesio-distal distance that exists at the spaceby multiplying the foreshortened space by this enlargement factor.

[0072] In addition, if the images are not taken at right angles, whetherthe image is a single tooth or a plurality of teeth, the computerprogram stored within the CPU 10 may allow the CPU 10 to configure theimages in such a manner to compensate for the discrepancy.

[0073] Moreover, if the user requires a dental appliance, the system 1of the present invention may size the apparatus to fit the teeth of theuser based on the measurement of a single tooth. More specifically, thecomputer program stored in the CPU 10 may allow the CPU 10 tosuperimpose an image of a dental appliance over an image of the set ofteeth of the user, extrapolated from data related to the image of asingle tooth as well as statistics stored within the CPU 10.

[0074] In addition to images taken by the ICC 40, the system 1 may querythe user as to whether the user experiences sounds or clicks in thetemporomandibular joint or joints and may request the user to move hisjaw downward and forward to determine if the sound or click is no longerpresent. The system 1 may query the user visually, through a display onthe monitor 30, or the system 1 may query the user verbally, through aspeaker system or the like. The user may be able to respond verbally orby entering information into the IRC 20. Furthermore, the system 1 maydetermine if a dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint exists byobserving the opening of the lower jaw as to its maximum opening.

[0075] The system 1 may also determine if the user bites improperly in aforward and/or an incompletely closed position. The system 1 may querythe user to close his mouth. If the system 1 determines, by use of theICC 40 and the CPU 10, that the user has improperly closed his mouth,the system 1 may compensate for this by adjusting the image of the upperjaw and the lower jaw by, for example, realigning the portion of theimage containing the lower jaw until it is properly aligned with theportion of the image containing the upper jaw of the user. As a result,more accurate estimates of jaw relation, molar relations or overjet maybe calculated. After a diagnosis is reached by the outside source, theCPU 10, or both, the diagnosis may be provided to the user, as shown atstep 280. The diagnosis may be given to the user by written means, suchas on a sheet of paper dispensed by the system 1. The sheet may includegraphical representations of implementation of the appliance in themouth of the user. Or, the diagnosis may be given to the user by verbalmeans, such as through a speaker associated with the system 1, or thelike. In addition, the diagnosis may be provided to the user as adisplay on the monitor 30.

[0076] In the diagnosis, the system 1 may determine whether the userrequires a dental appliance, as shown at step 290. The CPU 10 may bepre-programmed with data denoting the severity of a condition, such asoverbite or overjet, for individuals of varying age, race, sex, etc. TheCPU 10 may be programmed to classify levels of severity of overbite oroverjet as minimal, moderate, or severe based on predetermined dentalstandards. If the CPU 10 determines that the particular level ofseverity for the user is treatable by having the user wear a dentalappliance, the system 1 may dispense the appropriately sized dentalappliance, as shown at step 300. However, if the user does not require adental appliance and/or the condition of the user cannot be corrected bya dental appliance, the user may be notified by the system 1, as shownat step 280.

[0077] After services have been rendered, a user may pay for theservices, as shown at step 310. Payment may be made by, for example, acredit card or a debit card. To this end, a user may place the creditcard or debit card within the system 1, and the cost of the services maybe charged to the card. The system 1 may be connected by, for example,the internet, telephony or other means to another system, such as afinancial institution, for example, capable of recording the charges. Inanother embodiment, payment may be made by receipt of a negotiableinstrument or cash by the system 1.

[0078]FIG. 3 generally illustrates a dental appliance 300 that may bedispensed by the system 1. The dental appliance 300 may be constructedfrom, for example, rubber or other material known by those skilled inthe art. The dental appliance 300 may correct orthodontic conditionssuch as overbite, overjet and the like and may be worn in the mouth of auser. The dental appliance 300 may have a plurality of configurations tocorrect an orthodontic condition, depending on the age and number ofadult teeth present in the mouth of the user. Preferably, the system 1of the present invention stores and/or dispenses three uniquelyconfigured dental appliances for correcting a number of diagnosedconditions. For example, if the orthodontic conditions that may bediagnosed by the system include appliances for correcting an early (4 to7 year old); a mixed dentition (6 to 12 year old); and an adult case (12years and older); then the system 1 may store and/or dispense threedifferent dental appliances 300 of several varying sizes of each type,one appliance for each of the age ranges. Of course, the system 1 may beprogrammed to diagnose any of a plurality of orthodontic conditions withany one of a plurality of dental appliances available within the system1 to correct the diagnosed condition.

[0079] The system 1 may also diagnose what type and size of dentalappliance 300 is required for the user based on the number of teeth inthe mouth of the user. The system 1 may contain, preferably, three typesof dental appliances 300 corresponding, preferably, to users having 20,24, and 28 teeth in their mouth as measured and extrapolated, forexample, from a measurement from a midline to the back of the mouth ofthe user. Each type of dental appliance 300 may preferably have aplurality of sizes. The system 1 may provide the user with theparticular dental appliance 300 for the type and size of dentalappliance 300 suitable to correct the orthodontic state of the user.

[0080] In another embodiment of the system 1, the system 1 may diagnosethe orthodontic state of the user merely from receiving informationabout the user's age. The user may input his age into the IRC 20. TheCPU 10 may then direct the system 1 to dispense a dental appliance 300of an appropriate type and size for the user based on the age of theuser and/or medical standards programmed into the CPU 10.

[0081] In another embodiment, the system 1 may use the age of the userto assist in providing a diagnosis. For example, if the CPU 10 receivesinformation that a user has 21 teeth in his mouth, the system 1 may beprogrammed to determine, for example, that three molars should bepresent based on the age of the user. The system 1 may then determinethat the dental appliance 300 corresponding to a dental appliance for auser with 24 teeth in the mouth of the user is required to correct theorthodontic state of the user.

[0082] In another embodiment, the orthodontic state of the user may bediagnosed from an image of a single tooth. In this embodiment, if afront tooth is missing, the system 1 may diagnose the orthodontic stateof the user from an image of another tooth in the mouth of the user. Inyet another embodiment, the orthodontic state of the user may bediagnosed from an image of the interior of the mouth of the user in aportion of the mouth of the user from a mid-line to the back of theinterior of the mouth of the user. One measurement from a midline backmay be made which generally identifies five, six, or seven teeth. Fromthat measurement, the computer evaluates that data to determine whether,for example, 20, 24, or 28 teeth, respectively, are in the mouth of theuser.

[0083]FIG. 4 illustrates a system 400 having a camera 410 for takingimages, whether digital, still, video, digital x-ray, or the like, ofthe portion of the mouth of the user. The camera 410 may be held, forexample, by a set of clamps 420 onto a set of rods 430 held to, forexample, a wall by fasteners 440 and may be positioned by the user to adesired height for taking images. The clamps 420 may be designed tofrictionally engage the rods 430 and hold the camera 410 in place unlessmoved by pressure applied to the handles 450 to adjust the height of thecamera 410 by, for example, a user. To this end, the user may grasp aset of handles 450 attached to the camera 410 to position the camera 410to the desired height.

[0084] The system 400 may be used, for example, in a pharmacy. Thediagnosis may be transmitted to a remote location, by, for example,electronic mail or the like, where an attendant to the system 400, suchas, for example, a pharmacist, may provide a dental appliance 300 to theuser based upon the diagnosis. Or, the system 1 may notify the user,whether visually by the monitor 30, or other communication means, of thelocation of the appropriate dental appliance within the pharmacy,drugstore, grocery store, or other like store in which such appliancesmay be available and/or sold.

[0085]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a portion of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the camera 410 is positioned to a desiredheight. A user 512 may position his head 516 on a chin rest 510 andagainst a head rest 518. The chin rest 510 and/or the head rest 518 may,for example, be raised or lowered by various means known to thoseskilled in the art. The camera 410 may be connected to, for example, aCPU 10, which may evaluate images taken by the camera 410 of the portionof the mouth of the user 512. The CPU 10 may be integrally formed withthe system 400 or remotely situated from the camera 410 of the system400.

[0086]FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 600 of thepresent invention in which the camera 610 may be attached, for example,to a rod 620 by, for example, clamps 630. In this embodiment, theapparatus 600 is not attached to a wall and may stand on the base 640provided, for example, by the rod 620 or other means of support. Theuser may raise or lower the camera 610 along the rod 620 to a desiredheight to allow the camera 610 to properly obtain images of the interiorof the mouth of the user. The apparatus 600 may also be used, forexample, in a pharmacy or other like store.

[0087] In another embodiment of the present invention, the system 1 mayprovide the user with a diagnosis after receiving images via, forexample, electronic mail, the internet, or the like. The images may betaken while the user positions a ruler or other measuring device nearhis face. A second individual may then, using a digital still camera,digital video camera, or the like, capture images of the face and/orprofile of the user. Additional images of the user may be taken,including a smiling view from the front of the mouth, right and leftsides of the mouth, and/or upper and lower occlusal views. Images mayalso be taken by the user using any type of remote operation of adigital still or digital video camera or any other method known by thoseskilled in the art. The images may then be transmitted to a remotelocation via, for example, electronic mail, the internet, or the like,where a diagnosis may be performed by a CPU or individual to determinewhether the user is a candidate for a dental appliance. If the user is acandidate, the type and size of the dental appliance may also bedetermined by the CPU or individual. The user may then pay for thediagnosis and/or dental appliance by, for example, credit card or thelike, by transmitting the credit card number along with the images ordisclosing the credit card number by other means known by those skilledin the art.

[0088]FIG. 7 illustrates a wafer 700 that may be implemented indiagnosing the orthodontic condition of the user. The wafer 700 may beconstructed from, for example, wax, rubber, plastic, or any othermaterial known by those skilled in the art. The wafer 700 may beobtained by the user from the system 1, or the wafer 700 may be obtainedvia, for example, responses by the user to advertisements on theinternet, television, or radio. In addition, the wafer 700 may beobtained, for example, over-the-counter at, for example, a pharmacy,grocery store, or the like or by direct mailing to the user.

[0089]FIG. 8 illustrates a wafer 800 that the user may bite into, whichmay leave an impression 810 in the wafer 800. Once the user has made animpression into the wafer 800, the wafer 800 may be sent to a remotelocation for a diagnosis. The diagnosis may consist of, for example,pouring plaster, or other material known by those skilled in the art,into the wafer 800 to obtain a positive model of the teeth of the user.A plate which may have a plane, and a bed of pins, with each pin beingperpendicular to the plane and capable of positioning along an axisperpendicular to the plane, may be used to conform to the shape of theimpression 810 made in the wafer 800 and also provide a positive modelof the upper and lower teeth of the user. A proper type and size ofdental appliance 300 may then be determined, if necessary, to correctthe orthodontic state of the user. In another embodiment, a depthsensitive photograph may be taken of the wafer 700 after the user bitesinto the wafer 700. The depth sensitive photograph may provide athree-dimensional image of the upper and lower teeth from which adiagnosis may be obtained.

[0090] In another embodiment of the present invention, the images of themouth of the user may be taken by a photo-sensitive orpressure-sensitive film which a user may position between the upper jawand the lower jaw of the user. The film may then provide an image of theupper teeth and the lower teeth. The image may then be transmitted to aremote location by for example, the internet, electronic mail, directmailing, or the like for diagnosis by a CPU or an individual.

[0091]FIG. 9 illustrates a tray 900 that may be used to provide adiagnosis to the user in another embodiment of the present invention.The tray 900 may have an interior 910 being flat and an edge 920 whichare sized to fit inside the mouth of the user. The interior 910 of thetray 900 may be filled with wax, moldable plastic, or any other materialknown by those skilled in the art. An impression of the interior of themouth of the user may be made by the user by biting onto the interior910 of the tray 900. The tray 900 or an image of the tray 900 may thenbe sent to a CPU or an individual for a diagnosis. FIG. 10 illustrates aside view of the tray 900.

[0092] In addition to the wafer 700 and the tray 900, any type of deviceknown by those skilled in the art and capable of taking an impression ofthe teeth of the user may be implemented. The impression device couldthen be sent to an individual for analysis. In addition, an image of theimpression device could be taken and may be examined by the CPU 10, aCPU located remote from the system 1, or an individual.

[0093] It should be understood that various changes and modifications tothe presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A wafer for taking an impression of upper teeth and lowerteeth of a mouth, the wafer comprising: a form which fits inside themouth wherein the form is made from a material capable of being bittencreating a deformation of the form wherein the deformation correspondsto the upper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth wherein the formretains the deformation following removal from the mouth.
 2. The waferof claim 1 wherein the form is flat in an area which contacts the upperteeth.
 3. The wafer of claim 1 further comprising: a wall extending fromthe form wherein the. wall contacts the upper teeth when the form isfitted inside the mouth.
 4. The wafer of claim 1 wherein the deformationis shaped to correspond to each of the upper teeth of the mouth.
 5. Thewafer of claim 1 wherein the deformation is shaped to correspond to eachof the lower teeth of the mouth.
 6. The wafer of claim 1 wherein thewafer is constructed from a pressure-sensitive film.
 7. The wafer ofclaim 1 wherein the wafer is constructed from a photo-sensitive film. 8.A method for diagnosing an orthodontic condition of upper teeth andlower teeth of a mouth of. a patient, the method comprising the stepsof: providing a wafer which fits inside the mouth of the patient whereinthe wafer is made from a material that may be deformed to create adeformation; biting into the wafer with the mouth creating thedeformation of the wafer wherein the deformation corresponds to theupper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth wherein the wafer retainsthe deformation following removal from the mouth; and diagnosing theorthodontic condition of the mouth from the deformation on the wafer. 9.The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: providing anorthodontic appliance based on a diagnosis of the orthodontic conditionof the mouth.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the diagnosis isperformed in a remote location.
 11. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising the step of: pouring a material into the deformed wafer priorto diagnosis to obtain a model of the teeth of the user.
 12. The methodof claim 8 wherein the wafer is sold to the patient.
 13. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the wafer is provided to the patient via direct mail.14. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: inserting aplane into the deformed wafer prior to diagnosis wherein the plane has abed of pins wherein the bed of pins is perpendicularly attached to theplane and wherein the pins are individually attached to the plane tocreate a positive model of the teeth of the user.
 15. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the wafer is constructed from a pressure-sensitive film.16. A method for diagnosing an orthodontic condition of upper teeth andlower teeth of a mouth, the method comprising the steps of: providing awafer which fits inside the mouth; biting into the wafer with the mouthto create a deformation in the wafer wherein the deformation correspondsto the upper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth; and diagnosing theorthodontic condition of the upper teeth and the lower teeth at alocation remote from where the deformation was created wherein thediagnosis is based on the deformation.
 17. The method of claim 16further comprising the step of: transmitting an image of the deformedwafer to the remote location prior to diagnosis.
 18. The method of claim16 further comprising the step of: pouring a material onto the waferprior to diagnosis wherein the material conforms to the shape of thewafer and provides a model of the upper teeth and the lower teeth. 19.The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: providing adental appliance based on the diagnosis.
 20. The method of claim 16further comprising the step of: taking a depth-sensitive photograph ofthe wafer prior to diagnosis.
 21. A method for providing a diagnosis ofan orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:providing an output device wherein the output device verballycommunicates with the user; providing a central processing unitprogrammed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein thecentral processing unit is operatively connected to the output device;and verbally querying the user regarding the orthodontic state of theuser via the output device wherein the user inputs information regardingthe orthodontic state of the user in response to a verbal querygenerated by the output device.
 22. The method of claim 21 furthercomprising the steps of: providing an input device; and inputting aresponse from the user to a query from the central processing unit. 23.The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of: transmitting theresponse to the central processing unit.